GLEN ALLEN, Va. – Crystal Brewer bowled one of the best single games in Norfolk State bowling history, a 279, on the way to a 216.6 average as the Norfolk State bowling team opened the 2021-22 season over the weekend at the Virginia Union Invitational.

Brewer's 279 is her personal best and ties Briana Gardner for the third-highest game in the school's recorded history. The game came in Saturday's first traditional game against Fayetteville State and kicked off a 4-1 day for the Spartans.

In all, NSU went a combined 6-6 in baker and traditional games and finished in sixth place at its season-opening tournament. Brewer had the third-highest average for the weekend, a 216.6 over the Spartans' five traditional games on Saturday.

NSU opened the weekend going 1-3 in Friday's baker games, with a win over Virginia Union (724-584) and losses to Fayetteville State (789-742), Coppin State (887-666) and Sacred Heart (880-849). The Spartans rebounded to win four of their five traditional games on Saturday, defeating Fayetteville State (903-840), Johnson C. Smith (900-843), Virginia Union (898-721) and Bowie State (847-781) with only a loss to Morgan State (1,038-775) preventing a perfect record on the afternoon.

In addition to her big game against the Broncos, Brewer also rolled a 218 against VUU and a 204 against Bowie State. Chanel Staton was the team's next-highest bowler, averaging a 172 in the five games with a high of 203 against Johnson C. Smith.

The Spartans opened Sunday's best-of-7 baker play bracket with a come-from-behind 4-3 win over Fayetteville State. NSU trailed 3-1 before winning the final three games to advance. The Spartans fell in the second match to Bowie State by a 4-3 count before dropping another tight 4-3 match to Fayetteville State in the final match and finishing in sixth place.

The Spartans are next in action on Nov. 13-14 in Baltimore, Maryland, at the first MEAC competition of the year.